Unbreakable threads

Chapter Eighty Nine: Alyssa Defends Aaron

Sasha and Maggie led Aaron back to the barn, Sasha holding his weapon slung over her shoulder while Maggie carried his pack. Aaron walked between them with his hands raised slightly, his demeanor calm but cautious. As they approached the barn, the group inside stirred, the sound of the doors creaking open waking anyone still asleep.

"Everyone," Maggie said carefully, glancing at the group before motioning to Aaron. "This is Aaron."

Aaron raised his hands higher, offering a faint, non-threatening smile. "Morning," he said evenly, his voice calm despite the tension in the barn. "I'm Aaron. And I'm not here to hurt anyone."

Rick stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he sized Aaron up. His voice was low, laced with hostility. "You're walkin' into our barn. Our home for the night. Tell me why you're really here."

Aaron kept his voice steady, meeting Rick's intense gaze. "I'm here to invite you to a community. A safe place. I believe you'd be a good fit."

Rick scoffed, his hand tightening on his revolver. "A safe place? You expect us to believe that?"

"I know it's hard to trust," Aaron replied, his tone calm but firm. "But I'm not lying. I'm here to help."

Rick didn't back down, stepping closer, his presence towering. "What's your angle? What do you get out of this?"

Aaron hesitated, his hands still raised. "Nothing. I'm not looking for anything except to bring good people into a safe place. That's all."

Alyssa stood silently off to the side, her eyes fixed on Aaron. Normally, she'd be the first to voice skepticism, to question someone's motives and poke holes in their story. Ruthlessness came naturally to her in situations like this. But this time... this time, something was different. There was something about Aaron that made her pause. Something about him felt real.

Her mind screamed at her to trust him, even when everything else in her told her to be cautious. She stepped forward slightly, her sharp gaze softening as she spoke. "Why us?" she asked, her voice even but curious. "What makes you think we're worth the risk?"

Aaron's eyes flicked to Alyssa, studying her for a moment. He noted the way she carried herself—strong, sharp, unyielding. She reminded him of Rick, not just in looks but in the weight she seemed to carry. A leader in the making, even if she didn't realize it.

"You're strong," Aaron said simply, his tone sincere. "Your group survived the storm. You're organized. You're a good fit for our community. You'd make us stronger."

His eyes lingered on Alyssa for a moment longer, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "And you," he added, "you look like your father."

Alyssa stiffened slightly, glancing at Rick, whose expression darkened. "You know who I am?" she asked, her voice sharp now, her guard starting to rise again.

"I know you look like him," Aaron clarified quickly, his voice calm. "You have his strength. It's clear. That's why I think you'd be good for the community."

Rick's jaw tightened as he stepped in front of Alyssa, his hostility rising again. "You don't know us," he growled. "You don't know anything about us."

"I know enough," Aaron replied, holding his ground. "I know you're survivors. And I know you're worth trusting."

Sasha tossed Rick Aaron's pack, the weight of it hitting his chest with a thud. He caught it without looking away from Aaron, his jaw clenched tight. Rick's distrust was palpable, but Aaron remained calm, his hands still raised slightly in a gesture of peace.

"Our community is called Alexandria," Aaron explained, his voice steady but patient as though he'd rehearsed this introduction a hundred times. "It's safe. There are walls, houses, running water. It's not perfect, but it's secure. It's home."